Federal Task Force Targets Financial Fraud Nov 18, 2009
Obama's office issued an Executive Order setting up the agency, which will be chaired by Attorney General Eric Holder, and will include representatives of the Justice, Treasury, and Housing & Urban Development departments and the Securities & Exchange Commission, among others. The panel which replaces a Corporate Fraud Task Force established by the Bush Administration in 2002 following a spate of corporate accounting scandals is to hold its first meeting within 30 days. (BusinessWeek)
Administration widening pursuit of financial fraud Nov 18, 2009
From left are, Housing Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Holder, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Securities and Exchange Commission Director of Enforcement Ron Khuzami ... The attorney general made the announcement standing with officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Obama taskforce to fight financial fraud Nov 18, 2009
The task force also includes the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development departments and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among other government agencies. It will hold its first meeting in the next 30 days. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Obamaannounces task force to fight financial crime Nov 18, 2009
Manuel Balce Ceneta / APTreasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, flanked by Attorney General Eric Holder, left, and Housing Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, speaks during a news conference on financial fraud efforts, Tuesday, at the Justice Department in Washington ... The task force will be chaired by Holder and will include the Justice, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development departments and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among other government agencies. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Interagency task force to target financial fraud Nov 18, 2009
The task force will include a variety of departments and agencies, including Justice, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce and the , as well as state and local officials ... He was accompanied by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Robert Khuzami, the 's director of enforcement. (USA Today -- Money)
The Retreat: Giffords calls for HUD investigation Nov 18, 2009
Giffords letter asked Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General Kenneth Donahue for a full investigation and audit of this project to discover if there was any mismanagement. The loan to finance The Retreat at Santa Rita Springs was insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
HUD Rejects Texas Latest Hurricane Recovery Plan Nov 18, 2009
7 billion in Hurricane Ike federal recovery funds after the Department of Housing and Urban Development said the state did not provide enough chances for residents to comment on using disaster money on housing and infrastructure. The agency, in the Nov. 10 rejection letter, also noted Texas did not update its 2003 plan to promote fair housing. (KWTX.com, TX)
Electronic Privacy Information Center: Privacy Nov 18, 2009
The department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets standards for this software, and it is supplied by vendors. Generally, identity theft is the appropriation of another's personal information in order to commit fraud, or impersonate another person. (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
U.S. Forms Financial Fraud Task Force Nov 18, 2009
The attorney general made the announcement standing with officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The task force replaces one created in 2002 by the Bush administration following the corporate scandals surrounding WorldCom, Enron, Adelphia, and other firms. (CBS News -- US)
How to feed the 7 million Nov 17, 2009
The protection of land (and water) that can be relied on to feed much of Melbourne now and into the future should be a priority for the Victorian Government and urban development must be considered in this context. The social, economic, health and environmental implications of a policy that affects the production and access to food can no longer be overlooked. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Stimulus Jobs Nov 17, 2009
3 million in stimulus funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Shelton State Community College in Alabama reported 14,500 jobs saved or created after receiving $27,000 from the General Accounting Office. (ABC News -- Business)
Loans sought for jobless homeowners Nov 17, 2009
Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, appeared in Fall River and New Bedford with the US Housing and Urban Development secretary, Shaun Donovan, saying that he favors providing government loans to homeowners who have lost their jobs. Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said the program would be funded using interest banks pay on the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. (Boston Globe)
Frank floats loan plan for unemployed homeow... Nov 17, 2009
Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said in Fall River and New Bedford at appearances with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan that he favors providing government help in the form of federal loans to homeowners who have lost their jobs until they get another job. "These are people who are very responsible, very thoughtful. They got a home, it's above water, they've got equity, but they're unemployed, and you can't afford mortgage payments on... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Jeff Smith, 2 others to be sentenced Nov 16, 2009
In his letter to his supporters, Smith pointed to his successful push to preserve a historic tax credit program for urban development as one of his biggest accomplishments. Smith was also responsible for the creation of a teaching fellows program and a green sales tax holiday. (Washington University Student Life, MO)
New York Offering Will Lead Biggest Week for Muni Bond Sales Since April Nov 16, 2009
New Yorks Urban Development Corp. leads $12 billion in municipal borrowing plans, with a $1. 5 billion sale of bonds backed by revenue from the states personal income taxes. (Bloomberg -- US)
Number of stimulus jobs inflated Nov 16, 2009
Augusta officials reported creating 68 jobs with federal stimulus projects tied to a $606,372 grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. One problem: The workers have not started yet; 68 is actually a projection and should not have been reported to the federal government last month as jobs created or retained. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Housing discrimination suit distresses family Nov 16, 2009
Their request, for what was deemed a "reasonable accommodation" under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, was denied by a former Housing Authority assistant director, Juanita Cruz, now a convicted felon, who told the family they could not rent from a relative. The family filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations in February 2008 and investigators determined the Housing Authority discriminated against a person disabled by a mental illness, state... (Daytona Beach News Journal)
City’s Christmas tree arriving Friday Nov 16, 2009
Shaun Donovan, US secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will visit Fall River and New Bedford today at the invitation of US Representative Barney Frank. In Fall River, Donovan will discuss the impact of the foreclosure crisis as well as federal efforts to curb it. (Boston Globe)
Can a New U.S. Tourism Board Woo Visitors? Nov 15, 2009
"The new law is fundamentally about creating jobs and encouraging economic activity," explains Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), the bill's main sponsor and a leading member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. "It will also help put a better public face on the nation," Dorgan adds. (Time.com)
Couple is driven away from a driveway Nov 15, 2009
They selected the foreclosed home they bought in 2003 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a more prosaic reason, familiar to almost anyone who has lived in Albany: It came with off-street parking. "We made it very clear to the Realtor that we needed a house with a driveway," said Shahnaz Siddiqui. (Albany Times Union)
CISOs reveal what scares them Nov 15, 2009
Marian Cody, chief information security officer, Housing and Urban Development Department. Phillip Loranger, chief information security officer and acting director for information assurance, Education Department. (FCW.com)
Grants goal to spark job growth Nov 14, 2009
We have received a 420,000 community development block grant (CDBG) from the federal Housing and Urban Development program. it s part of a big grant used to fund the 14 different business loan programs in the state, Region 10 Director Paul Gray said this week. (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Horizon Consulting wins $10M contract Nov 13, 2009
According to an audit recently completed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the amount of loans approved by the Federal Housing Administration in fiscal 2008 more than tripled the amount of loans approved in fiscal 2007. Horizon said it has been dealing with the recent surge in mortgage insurance applications by hiring and training additional staff, continuing to process work within 72 hours. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
Stakeholders of the real estate sector Nov 13, 2009
The minister of urban development acknowledges this fact and feels that a single regulatory body at the state level is most needed, for faster approvals , besides faster delivery of projects, accountability of the project developers, professionalism and finally loan acquisition to make affordable housing a reality. FOCAL POINT. (India Times)
Govt MPs at odds over population growth Nov 13, 2009
"The shortcomings in our nation's infrastructure planning and development are evident. "The government wants our cities to have strong, transparent and long-term plans for growth and high-quality urban development. " Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce on Friday offered "partial support" to Mr Thomson's view. "I do agree, however, with Mr Thomson's assertion that if we keep putting all immigrants into the major capital cities we will create problems for ourselves," Senator Joyce said in a... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Turkish mayors come a-calling Nov 13, 2009
Besides that, he said the urban development also prompted them to visit the city to see the changes for themselves. Sedefci said KL reminded him of his city Edirne as it is connected by three rivers just like KL which is linked to the Gombak river and the Klang river. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Horizon continues to focus on HUD insurance processing Nov 13, 2009
Horizon Consulting Inc. will continue to provide home insurance processing for the Housing and Urban Development Departments Atlanta Home Ownership Center under a five-year contract valued at $10 million. The new contract calls for the Lansdowne, Va. (FCW.com)
Former housing official sentenced for theft Nov 13, 2009
Her prison sentence will be followed by two years probation and she was also ordered to pay back $320,244 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, court records show. Federal investigators said Cruz, who worked for the DeLand Housing Authority for 13 years, opened a bank account in her own name, and from 2003-2008 made out checks to Section 8 tenants who had actually stopped getting assistance, then cashed the checks herself. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
ACORN May Be on Brink of Collapse Nov 13, 2009
The lawsuit names the U.S. government, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the director of the Office of Management and Budget and the secretary of the Treasury Department as defendants. HUD spokesman Jereon Brown said the agency does not comment on ongoing litigation. (Newsmax)
State considers getting out of handling Hawaii public housing Nov 12, 2009
There would likely be a host of hurdles to the long-term vision, not least of which is how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would react to the plan. HUD provides the state with a subsidy about $12 million annually to maintain federally funded public housing projects. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Marcus Theatres opens Omaha cinema complex Nov 12, 2009
The complex is in Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 's $300 million mixed-use urban development project. Marcus Theatres has a long-term contract to manage the theater for Mutual of Omaha. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Veterans Day highlights new efforts to help homeless vets Nov 12, 2009
include a range of measures, such as 60,000 new housing vouchers from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), targeted at the number of vets estimated to be chronically homeless due to problems such as mental illness. Other provisions would target new money toward community or faith-based groups to provide support for homeless vets. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Target approves East Liberty location Nov 12, 2009
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also has authorized a $10 million loan and a $2 million grant for the project, said Rob Stephany, executive director of the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority. Neither he nor Mr. Minnerly, who would not reveal the store's price tag, expected the completion of financing to be a problem, particularly now that Target has signed off on the project. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Please read it. Nov 11, 2009
To complain of discrimination call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 800-699-9777. General Advice. (The Palm Beach Post)
Part 2: Restrictive Growth Management Was A Necessary Condition for the Housing Bubble Nov 11, 2009
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has had a little side shop, talking about deregulating housing to make it more affordable and nobody has paid much attention ... The Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development have signed an agreement in which they will force all 400 major metropolitan areas in the country to write plans that will cause more housing bubbles in the future, more compact development plans and more urban growth boundaries and more... (RealtyTimes)
State targets blighted property in BH (870) Nov 11, 2009
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could decide on funding by Dec. 1. The state is seeking $18 million to help Benton Harbor through the Berrien County Land Bank. (St. Joseph Herald-Pallidium, MI)
BUDC ready to dig in at Commerce Park Nov 11, 2009
The road and related infrastructure will make it easier to the local economic development community to pitch Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park as a preferred urban development site. The grant is significant because it really sets the tone, said Peter Cammarata, BUDC president. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Stimulus job boost in stateexaggerated, review finds Nov 11, 2009
After being notified his annual rental subsidies were classified as stimulus spending, Ercolini renewed a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for more than $1 million to fix up the property, reasoning he would be creating jobs by hiring contractors. He was refused. (Boston Globe)
Despite monitoring, 'dubious' stimulus spending seen Nov 11, 2009
The administration statement, for example, said the Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected plans in four cities to use stimulus funds for skateboarding parks a type of project Coburn had singled out for criticism. Still, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Michigan reported it plans to spend a $476,000 HUD grant on park upgrades, including building a skate park. (USA Today -- News)
Don Campbell / H-P staff Sonseeahray Bates and her two-year-old son, Errick, are happily situated in their new three-bedroom apartment at Harbor Bluffs in Benton Harbor. Nov 10, 2009
Fred Upton and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Whirlpool. Co-developers are Cornerstone Alliance and Star Development and Financial. (The Herald-Palladium)
Koala numbers in free fall Nov 10, 2009
The Australian Koala Foundation said its research showed the furry icons were suffering from urban development and climate change, and that the Federal Government should list the species as vulnerable. The group, which used data from more than 1000 forest surveys, said the mainland population had fallen to between 43,000 and 80,000. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
New Rules to Clarify Fees Nov 10, 2009
REALTOR Magazine Online: The real estate professional's business support tool. YOUR INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE REALTOR.ORG/realtormag. (Realtor Magazine Online)
Electronic Privacy Information Center: Privacy Nov 10, 2009
The department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets standards for this software, and it is supplied by vendors. Generally, identity theft is the appropriation of another's personal information in order to commit fraud, or impersonate another person. (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
CWU has inauguration ceremony for Gaudino Nov 10, 2009
Central Washington University President James Gaudino, center, walks with Ron Sims, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, at right, during a processional through the CWU campus prior to inauguration ceremonies at McConnell Auditorium on Friday. Chelsea Krotzer / Daily Record ELLENSBURG James Gaudino wore a beaming smile while walking down Chestnut Mall at Central Washington University, chatting with university administrators and old friends, as well as a few... (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Cleaning up closing costs Nov 10, 2009
Though banks and mortgage lobbies are pushing hard for a delay, on Jan. 1 new federal rules adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development are scheduled to take effect covering home real estate and mortgage transactions nationwide. The rules have a blunt message for lenders and others who lowball up-front estimates or lard on junk fees at settlement: Play games like that, and you - not your hapless customers - will have to eat the difference. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Kuching to get centralised sewerage system Nov 10, 2009
State Urban Development and Tourism Minister Datuk Michael Manyin said Package 1 of the system was currently under construction and would be completed by Oct 2012. He said the system would address the deteriorating water quality of the city's rivers and streams due to the discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
New mission in Hawaii to help those who served Nov 10, 2009
Include efforts from the federal departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Small Business Administration, the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness, state VA directors, and other national, state and local veteran organizations. Prevention: Make prevention of veteran homelessness a major priority, rather than just moving veterans off the streets. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Japan pledges US$5b in aid for Afghanistan over five years Nov 10, 2009
com - Japan pledges US#dollar;5b in aid for Afghanistan over five years. Japan pledges US 5b in aid for Afghanistan over five years Posted: 10 November 2009 1016 hrs. (Channelnewsasia.com)
King Edward reigns again: $90M renovation close to finish Nov 10, 2009
Along the way, he was able to secure a $2 million state loan that replaced a cancelled $2 million federal Housing and Urban Development grant, as well as various tax credits and Gulf Opportunity Zone funding to further the restoration. The project had to be finished by year's end in order not to lose the GOZone funds. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Newsom campaign spent $100,000 monthly Nov 9, 2009
Open house: Calls are coming in from Washington checking out former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos for a possible return as regional director of Housing and Urban Development. Agnos, who declined to talk about the rumors, was regional head under President Bill Clinton. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Airport Check-in: Strange sight in Canada; Detroit plan pursued Nov 9, 2009
The "Aerotropolis" is a concept that proposes using airports as the central element of urban development, much the way cities once formed near rivers and highways, the airport says. Similar projects have been proposed and developed in Europe, Asia and North America with mixed success. (USA Today -- Money)
A year after 26/11, Patil back as Maharashtra minister Nov 9, 2009
Chavan has kept for himself the General Administration Department and the all-important urban development portfolio. He will also be holding the housing and cultural affairs portfolios. (India Times, India)
On long-term homelessness, Pawlenty misses goal Nov 9, 2009
Minnesota's homeless population grew 4 percent last year in estimates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, even as homelessness dropped slightly nationwide. National advocates said they expect this year's numbers to continue to grow; Minnesota officials are waiting for results of a statewide survey done in October. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Veterans account for large percentage of nation’s homeless Nov 8, 2009
The program is subsidized by the Lynn Housing Authority and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and offers 16 hours of on-site case management per day to veterans. At the rooming house, counselors deal with mental health, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and job training. (Boston Globe)
Forum: Seeing change Wall Street can believe in Nov 8, 2009
$140 billion is more than the combined budgets of the U.S. departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Typical workers, meanwhile, make less today adjusting for inflation than they did in the 1970s. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Reproductive health protects women against economic crisis- Abinah Nov 8, 2009
Mr Abinah called for the integration of rural and urban development, in order to improve upon the living conditions in the rural areas, and to educate the youth on population issues. 7 Nov. 09. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Cities face hurdle to buy foreclosed homes Nov 7, 2009
The city will receive nearly $11 million in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program last year. Fresno readies to buy foreclosed homes. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
NCP, Congress finally stake claim Nov 7, 2009
Though the Congress has managed to retain some lucrative portfolios like urban development, revenue, industry, housing and slum rehabilitation, it has failed to wrest any major ministry like home, finance , irrigation or power from the NCP. Some 20 ministers from the NCPs quota and 15-20 from the Congress are likely to be inducted. The NCP is also learnt to have got the best of portfolios as it did in the previous two tenures, like home, finance, power, irrigation, MSRDC, and tribal... (India Times)
Western Sydney faces water crisis, scientists warn Nov 7, 2009
" The Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said if the Government reduced the amount of new homes in western Sydney's growth centres, it would mean significant urban development above what is already planned for suburbs such as Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby. Join the conversation 2 people are reading this now. . . Related Coverage KEVIN RUDD has launched a blistering attack on climate change sceptics ... Top Environment articles Environment Topics (245) (117) (51) (48) (44) (41) (37) (32) (28) (19)... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Report Says Homelessness Down 38% (564) Nov 7, 2009
The biennial count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which uses the statistics as a guideline for distributing federal funds to support homeless services. The report is not complete: LAHSA is still analyzing its data, looking into changes specific to certain demographics and geographic areas in the city, including Skid Row. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
Behind the deal: Downturn forced developer to turn to unusual money sources Nov 7, 2009
The Milwaukee developer, who originally planned a 138-room hotel and 38-unit condo for the Moderne, received mortgage insurance from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, secured a $1 million line of credit from a Hong Kong bank and, of course, received the city loan. This article is for Paid Subscribers ONLY.. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Money will go to Louisa County homes damaged by 2008 flood Nov 7, 2009
The homes are among the 1,352 statewide that were damaged in 2008 and have qualified for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development s 150 million in Community Development Block Grant program buyouts, according to Gov. Chet Culver s office. Another 32 properties in rural Louisa County near Oakville are eligible for up to 3. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Vantage Pointe tackles two Nashville apartment complexes Nov 7, 2009
The Class A apartments are being financed with 221(d)(d) loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's really the only construction financing available, Tyrone said. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
A rebirth on Park Avenue Nov 7, 2009
Sullivan said the city will work with the developers to obtain federal HOME housing rehabilitation grants, federal and state tax credits and U.S. Housing and Urban Development money to help move their effort along. There s a whole bunch of different ways the city can help partner with private developers to turn these buildings and neighborhoods around, Sullivan said. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
FHA Delays Implementing Rules for Condo Loans Nov 6, 2009
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development confirmed a delay in implementation but wouldn t comment on the changes the MBA says FHA has agreed to. Editor's note: FHA Commissioner David Stevens talks about the new condo rules and other FHA issues, including appraisal guidelines and the agency's credit performance, in an interview with REALTOR Magazine. (Realtor Magazine Online)
